Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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2008
SPECIFICATIONS
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FUEL CELLS
INTRODUCTION
This V show is one of several produced to help students
understand selected topics at AS and A2 level Chemistry. It is based on the
requirements of the AQA and OCR specifications but is suitable for other
examination boards.
Individual students may use the material at home for revision purposes or it
may be used for classroom teaching with an interactive white board.
Accompanying notes on this, and the full range of AS and A2 topics, are
available from the KNOCKHARDY SCIENCE WEBSITE at...
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INTRODUCTION
Fuel cells generate electricity from an electrochemical reaction in which
oxygen (from air) and a fuel (e.g. hydrogen) combine to form water.
The electricity produced can be used to power cars, buses, laptops and
mobile phones. The by-product, heat, can also be used.
FUEL CELLS
INTRODUCTION
Fuel cells generate electricity from an electrochemical reaction in which
oxygen (from air) and a fuel (e.g. hydrogen) combine to form water.
The electricity produced can be used to power cars, buses, laptops and
mobile phones. The by-product, heat, can also be used.
STRUCTURE
cells consist of two electrodes, a negative anode and a positive cathode
electrodes are separated by a solid or liquid electrolyte
electrically charged particles move between the two electrodes
catalysts (e.g. Pt) are often used to speed up reactions at the electrodes
electricity is generated when oxygen and hydrogen combine
A TYPICAL FUEL CELL
The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell - PEMFC
Operation
hydrogen (the fuel) is oxidised to H+ ions (protons) at the anode
protons move through the electrolyte
electrons pass through the external circuit
oxygen is reduced at the cathode
water is produced
a platinum catalyst accelerates the reactions at the electrodes
PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL
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The equation with the MORE POSITIVE E° value reverses the one with the
less positive E° value.
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l)
H2(g) 2H+(aq) + 2e¯
THEORY
The relevant half reactions are«
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l) E° = +1.23V
2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g) E° = 0.00V
The equation with the MORE POSITIVE E° value reverses the one with the
less positive E° value.
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l)
H2(g) 2H+(aq) + 2e¯
Double the second equation to balance the electrons then combine both to
give the overall reaction«
THEORY
The relevant half reactions are«
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l) E° = +1.23V
2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g) E° = 0.00V
The equation with the MORE POSITIVE E° value reverses the one with the
less positive E° value.
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l)
H2(g) 2H+(aq) + 2e¯
Double the second equation to balance the electrons then combine both to
give the overall reaction«
The equation with the MORE POSITIVE E° value reverses the one with the
less positive E° value.
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l)
H2(g) 2H+(aq) + 2e¯
Double the second equation to balance the electrons then combine both to
give the overall reaction«
ELECTRODE REACTIONS
Anode (-) 2H2(g) ²> 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ OXIDATION
Cathode (+) O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ ²> 2H2O(l) REDUCTION
THEORY
The relevant half reactions are«
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l) E° = +1.23V
2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g) E° = 0.00V
The equation with the MORE POSITIVE E° value reverses the one with the
less positive E° value.
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ 2H2O(l)
H2(g) 2H+(aq) + 2e¯
Double the second equation to balance the electrons then combine both to
give the overall reaction«
ELECTRODE REACTIONS
Anode (-) 2H2(g) ²> 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ OXIDATION
Cathode (+) O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e¯ ²> 2H2O(l) REDUCTION
CELL REACTIONS - SUMMARY
our society is dependent upon fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas
fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy resource
fuel prices are rising and resources dwindling
food, transport and electricity costs are affected by fuel prices
the atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted
carbon dioxide contributes to climate change and the greenhouse effect
FUEL CELLS ± Why use them?
our society is dependent upon fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas
fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy resource
fuel prices are rising and resources dwindling
food, transport and electricity costs are affected by fuel prices
the atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted
carbon dioxide contributes to climate change and the greenhouse effect
Limitations
storage of hydrogen - safety considerations
transportation of hydrogen - low density so expensive to deliver
feasibility of liquefied hydrogen under pressure - safety considerations
limited life of adsorber / absorber - economic considerations
limited life cycle of cell - economic considerations
high production costs - economic considerations
use toxic chemicals in cell production - environmental considerations
FUEL CELLS ± Manufacture of hydrogen
METHODS
ideally from non-polluting and renewable resources; (solar, wind, hydro)
from hydrocarbon fuels by reforming
from natural gas (methane) or ethanol CH4 + H2O ²> CO + 3H2
electrolysis of water
FUEL CELLS ± Manufacture of hydrogen
METHODS
ideally from non-polluting and renewable resources; (solar, wind, hydro)
from hydrocarbon fuels by reforming
from natural gas (methane) or ethanol CH4 + H2O ²> CO + 3H2
electrolysis of water
REFORMING
Most of today¶s hydrogen is generated by steam reforming. Unfortunately
it uses non-sustainable, natural resources.
Fuel is mixed with steam in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce
hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
This method is cost effective and efficient with conversion rates of 70-80%.
FUEL CELLS ± Manufacture of hydrogen
METHODS
ideally from non-polluting and renewable resources; (solar, wind, hydro)
from hydrocarbon fuels by reforming
from natural gas (methane) or ethanol CH4 + H2O ²> CO + 3H2
electrolysis of water
REFORMING
Most of today¶s hydrogen is generated by steam reforming. Unfortunately
it uses non-sustainable, natural resources.
Fuel is mixed with steam in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce
hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
This method is cost effective and efficient with conversion rates of 70-80%.
STORAGE OF HYDROGEN
liquid stored under pressure
adsorbed on the surface of a solid
absorbed within a solid
FUEL CELLS ± Manufacture of hydrogen
METHODS
ideally from non-polluting and renewable resources; (solar, wind, hydro)
from hydrocarbon fuels by reforming
from natural gas (methane) or ethanol CH4 + H2O ²> CO + 3H2
electrolysis of water
REFORMING
Most of today¶s hydrogen is generated by steam reforming. Unfortunately
it uses non-sustainable, natural resources.
Fuel is mixed with steam in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce
hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
This method is cost effective and efficient with conversion rates of 70-80%.
STORAGE OF HYDROGEN
liquid stored under pressure
adsorbed on the surface of a solid
absorbed within a solid
FUEL CELL VEHICLES (FCV¶S) - ADVANTAGES
maintenance is simple since there are few moving parts in the system
FUEL CELLS - Disadvantages
refuelling and starting times of fuel cell vehicles (FCV¶s) are longer
the technology is not yet fully developed and few products are available
FUEL CELLS - The future